Combination storage case and working table



Sept. 1, 1964 c. CARR ETAL 3,147,052

COMBINATION STORAGE CASE AND WORKING TABLE Filed July 24, 1961 INVENTOR. 0.52 6. CAP/Z BY cam/1105 CARR United States Patent CGMBENATION STORAGE CASE AND WORKING TABLE Rose C. Carr and Cornelius F. Carr, both of 4936 Grand Haven Road, Musliegon, Mich. Filed July 24, 1961, Ser. No. 126,152 10 Claims. (Cl. 312-241) This invention relates to a combination storage case and working table. More particularly, this invention relates to a storage case especially well adapted for storing and carrying a knitting machine, the case being convertible into a working table on which the knitting machine may be positioned and operated.

Knitting machines are becoming increasingly popular and sales of such machines increase yearly. These machines are elongated, relatively fiat, narrow units and consequently, require a rather special type of carrying and storage case and working surface on which to be positioned for work. Up to the present time, the storage and carrying cases for such machines have not been entirely satisfactory. Further, the machines are commonly placed on ordinary tables around the home which seldom provide proper height and stability. Still further, the use of these machines on tables around the home may mar their surf-ace or otherwise damage them. If old or unsightly tables are used, they must be carried to the area in which the knitting will be done, creating extra work and cluttering the work area.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a combination storage case and working table, it being a more specific object of this invention to provide such a unit especially well adapted for use in combination with a knitting machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an apparatus which is pleasing in appearance and simple in construction, thus being inexpensive to fabricate.

A further object of this invention is to provide such an apparatus which includes a unique means for locking and carrying when used as a case, and is rigid and sturdy when used as a working table.

These and other objects of this invention will become obvious to those skilled in the relevant arts upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention positioned for use as a working table;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention when positioned for use as a storage and carrying case;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner of the apparatus, better showing the manner in which it is positioned for use as a working table; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the handle portion shown in FIG. 3.

Briefly, this invention relates to a combination table and storage case comprising a member having a supporting surface and a means movably secured to each end thereof. Each of said means is movable from a first position beneath and providing legs for said member to a second position above and providing a cover for said member.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the reference numeral 1 designates the apparatus of this invention. The combination table and storage case 1 includes a member 2 having a supporting surface 3 and means and 10a movably secured to the respective ends of the member 1, each of the means 10 and 10a movable from a first position beneath and providing legs for the member 1 (FIG. 1) to a second position above and providing a cover therefor (FIG. 2). The member 1 in the embodiment shown is generally rectangular and of a size adapted to receive and support a standard knitting machine. Openings 4 (FIG. 4) are provided in one edge of the member 1 a spaced distance from the ends thereof, the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The means 10 and 19a are of similar construction, one of these means now being described in detail. The means 10 is generally U-shaped in cross section, including a bight portion 11 and a wall 12 extending along each of its side edges (FIGS. 1 and 2). A closure element 13 extends between the walls 12, spaced a short distance from one end of the means 10. A small opening 14 extends through one Wall 12, the opening spaced from the wall connection to the bight portion 11 and being adjacent the same end of the means 11 as the closure element 13. A slit 15 is provided in the bight portion 11 at the other end of the means 10, the slit being positioned generally midway between the Walls 12. A stop 16 is secured to at least one of the walls 12 at the end of the means It) opposite from the closure element 13. In the embodiment shown, a wooden peg 17 (FIG. 4) extends through the corner of each wall 12 remote from the bight portion 11 and adjacent the closure element 13, the pegs 17 extending into and glued in the corners of the member 2. A similar means ltla is secured in a similar manner at the other end of the member 1. It should be noted that the combined length of the means 1b and 19a are approximately equal to the length of the member 2.

It will now be seen that the means 10 and 10a may be pivoted about the pegs 17 with respect to the member 2. In one position, the means extend downwardly from the member 2, the closure elements 13 hearing against the underside of the member 2 and thereby defining the limited movement of the means in one direction. A pin 18 is inserted through the openings 14 in the means 10 and 1011, the pins 18 extending into the openings 4 in the member 2. This rigidities the unit 1 when positioned for use as a working table, locking the means 10 and 10a in position. Upon removal of the pins 18, the means 10 and 10a may be pivoted about the pegs 17 with respect to the member 2 and positioned above the member 2, the stops in engaging the supporting surface 3 and limiting movement of the means in this direction. Due to the length of the means 10 and 19a, it will be noted that these means provide a cover for the supporting surface in this position.

A handle means 20 is provided for carrying the unit 1 when positioned for use as a storage and carrying case. This handle means 20 includes an elongated body 21 (FIG, 3), a neck portion 22 and a grip portion 23. The neck portion 22 extending upwardly from the elongated body 21 is offset with respect to the grip portion 23 as shown in FIG. 3, one enlarged recessed area 24- and a smaller recessed area 25 being thus provided. The handle means 2% is adapted to cooperate with the slits 15 in the bight portion 11 of the leg means 10 and 10a as follows. The means 10 is pivoted to lie above and against the member 2, the elongated body 21 then being positioned under its bight portion 11, the neck portion 22 of the handle means 20 extending into the slit 15. The handle means 21) is then slid such that the larger recessed area 24 bears against the extremity of slit 15. The other means 10a is now pivoted to lie above and against the member 2, the grip portion 23 passing through its slit 15 due to the offsetting of the neck portion 22 with respect to the grip portion 23. When means 10a is in position, the entire handle means 21 is then slid in the opposite direction, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5, such that neither of the means may be lifted. The unit 1 may then be carried by using the grip portion 23 of the handle means 20. By merely moving the handle means 20 to the left as shown in solid lines in FIG. 5, the means 10a may be raised and pivoted to its supporting position, the handle means 20 removed from its position, enabling the other means to be pivoted to supporting position.

It will now be seen that the unit 1 may be quickly converted from the storage and carrying case shown in FIG. 2 to the working table shown in FIG. 1. A complete closure is provided in one instance and a rigid working surface is provided in the other. When used as a carrying case, a unique handle means is provided for use with the unit. This unit is simple in construction, inexpensive to fabricate and especially well adapted to be used in combination with knitting machines.

While only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it may be possible to practice the invention through the utilization of certain other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Such other embodiments are included as a part of this invention unless the following claims expressly state otherwise.

We claim:

1. A combination table and storage case, comprising: a member having a supporting surface; a means secured to each end of said member, each of said means including a bight portion and a wall extending along each of its sides, and means being generally U-shaped in cross section; an element extending between said walls adjacent one end of each of said means; said walls at said one end of each of said means pivotally secured to said member at points spaced from said bight portion; and each of said means movable from a first position beneath and providing legs for said member, said elements engaging the bottom of said member, to a second position above and providing a cover for said member.

2. A combination table and storage case, comprising: a member having a supporting surface; a means secured to each end of said member, each of said means including a bight portion and a Wall extending along each of its sides, said means being generally U-shaped in cross section; each of said means of a length equal to generally one-half the length of said member; an element extending between said walls adjacent one end of each of said means; said walls at said one end of each of said means pivotally secured to the sides of said member at points spaced from said bight portion; and each of said means movable from a first position depending beneath and providing legs for said member, said elements engaging the bottom of said member, to a second position extending toward each other above said member and providing a cover for said member.

3. A combination table and storage unit as defined in claim 2, at least one wall adjacent said one end of each of said means including an opening aligned with corresponding openings in said member for receiving removable pins for rigidifying said means when said elements engage said member and said means provide legs therefor.

4. A combination table and storage case, comprising: a fiat, rectangular member having a supporting surface; a means secured to each end of said member, each of said means including a bight portion and a wall extending along each of its sides, said means being generally U-shaped in cross section; each of said means of a length equal to generally one-half the length of said member; a closure element extending between said walls adjacent one end of each of said means; said walls at said one end of each of said means pivotally secured to said member at points spaced from said bight portion by means of pegs extending through said walls and glued within holes in the sides of said member; each of said means movable from a first position depending beneath and providing legs for said member, said elements engaging the bottom of said member, to a second position above and providing a cover for said member; and stops afiixed to said walls to limit movement of said means when moved to said second position.

5. A combination table and storage unit as defined in claim 4, at least one wall adjacent said one end of each of said means including an opening aligned with corresponding openings in said member for receiving removable pins for rigidifying said means when said elements engage said member and said means provide legs therefor.

6. A combination table and storage case as defined in claim 1, the free end of each of said means including a slit; a handle comprised of an elongated body, a neck portion and a grip portion; said means lying above said body when in said second position, said neck extending through said slits and said handle slidable with respect to the case whereby in one position neither of said means is movable and in another position one of said means is movable.

7. A combination table and storage case as defined in claim 2, the free end of each of said means including a slit; a handle comprised of an elongated body, a neck portion and a grip portion; said means lying above said body when in said second position, said neck extending through said slits and said handle slidable with respect to the case whereby in one position neither of said means is movable and in another position one of said means is movable.

8. A combination table and storage case as defined in claim 4, the free end of each of said means including a slit; a handle comprised of an elongated body, a neck portion and a grip portion; said means lying above said body when in said second position, said neck extending through said slits and said handle slidable with respect to the case whereby in one position neither of said means is movable and in another position one of said means is movable.

9. A combination table and storage case, comprising: a member having a supporting surface; a means movably secured to each end of said member; each of said means movable from a first position beneath and providing legs for said member to a second position above and providing a cover for said member; the free end of each of said means including a slit; a handle comprised of an elongated body, a neck portion and a grip portion; said means lying above said body when in said second position, said neck extending through said slits and said handle slidable with respect to the case whereby in one position neither of said means is movable and in another position one of said means is movable.

10. A combination table and storage case, comprising: a member having a supporting surface; a means secured to each end of said member, each of said means being generally U-shaped in cross section and of a length generally equal to one-half the length of said member; each of said means movable from a first position depending generally perpendicularly beneath and providing legs for said member to a second position extending toward each other above said member and providing a cover for said member; the free end of each of said means including a slit; a handle comprised of an elongated body, a neck portion and a grip portion; said means lying above said body when in said second position, said neck extending through said slits and said handle slida'ole with respect to the case whereby in one position neither of said means is movable and in another position one of said means is movable.

Wiegel Aug. 9, 1955 Thielepape Feb. 16, 1960 

1. A COMBINATION TABLE AND STORAGE CASE, COMPRISING: A MEMBER HAVING A SUPPORTING SURFACE; A MEANS SECURED TO EACH END OF SAID MEMBER, EACH OF SAID MEANS INCLUDING A BIGHT PORTION AND A WALL EXTENDING ALONG EACH OF ITS SIDES, AND MEANS BEING GENERALLY U-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION; AN ELEMENT EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID WALLS ADJACENT ONE END OF EACH OF SAID MEANS; SAID WALLS AT SAID ONE END OF EACH OF SAID MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID MEMBER AT POINTS SPACED FROM SAID BIGHT PORTION; AND EACH OF SAID MEANS MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION BENEATH AND PROVIDING LEGS FOR SAID MEMBER, SAID ELEMENTS ENGAGING THE BOTTOM OF SAID MEMBER, TO A SECOND POSITION ABOVE AND PROVIDING A COVER FOR SAID MEMBER. 